Former presidential candidate of the Labour Party, Peter Obi, has defended his movement across political parties, insisting his decisions were guided by principle rather than personal ambition.

Speaking in an interview on Arise TV, Obi explained that his political journey from the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), and later to the Labour Party was driven by his resistance to internal crises and what he described as “transactional politics.”

He said his exit from APGA was to prevent internal disputes from affecting governance in Anambra State, while his move to the PDP was also influenced by disagreements over party processes.

“I moved from APGA to the PDP because of issues with my successor. Rather than allow it to become destructive to governance, I moved out,” he said.

Obi criticised political practices within the PDP, describing them as inconsistent with his values. “People were not playing by the rules. It was transactional. I cannot be part of a transactional system,” he stated.

He also pointed to internal conflicts within the Labour Party as a factor that affected its stability, noting that legal and organisational disputes weakened the platform.

Addressing his association with figures across political divides, including those linked to the African Democratic Congress (African Democratic Congress), Obi said what matters is present commitment rather than past affiliations.

“What is important is not what people were yesterday, but what they are today,” he said.

He added that ongoing political realignments are aimed at building a stronger and more credible opposition capable of delivering accountable leadership, stressing that the struggle for reform would continue if processes are compromised.